Pottenbakkers op een erf, mogelijk in Surabaya 1912

This image, "Pottenbakkers op een erf, mogelijk in Surabaya," captures a moment in time through the lens of Onnes Kurkdjian. The sepia tones suggest that it was made sometime in the late 19th century. It's a scene of potters at work, and the photograph itself feels like a kind of crafting, a careful construction of light and shadow. The beauty here lies in the textures: the rough thatch of the roof, the smooth curves of the clay pots, and the nuanced tones of the figures themselves. Look closely at the way Kurkdjian uses light to define the shapes, creating a dance between what's visible and what's suggested. I love the way the pots are scattered around the yard, each one slightly different, imperfectly perfect. It reminds me of the work of Carleton Watkins, another photographer who was documenting the world around him with such care and attention. Both artists were interested in capturing a sense of place and time through their work. Ultimately, Kurkdjian's image is a reminder that art is not just about the grand gesture, but about the small, everyday moments that make up our lives.